ITANAGAR, Apr 2: In a tragic incident, two brothers from Chasa village in Arunachal Pradesh’s Tirap district were reported missing while crossing the Tissa River on Wednesday, prompting an intensive search and rescue operation.
The missing duo was identified as Laichat Wangpan and Wangthoa Wangpan. According to sources, the brothers, along with three others, had gone to Chopnu village to purchase meat for Laichat’s upcoming marriage scheduled on April 7.
While returning to Chasa village with two cattle, three members of the group managed to cross the river safely. However, Wangthoa Wangpan reportedly slipped into the river, and his younger brother Laichat jumped in to rescue him. Both were subsequently swept away near Chajanpong point and went missing.
Following the incident, the three accompanying persons informed the relatives and villagers, who subsequently alerted authorities and lodged missing reports with the State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) and other agencies.
A search operation was launched, but initial efforts were hampered by darkness and poor visibility. On the second day of the operation, the body of Wangthoa Wangpan was recovered from the Tissa river near Otongkhua village. However, search operations are still underway to locate Laichat Wangpan.
A joint search team comprising officials led by Circle Officer Longo Bomyir Dirchi, personnel from SDRF, Assam Rifles, and local villagers continues to carry out the operation.
Authorities have appealed to residents of nearby areas to assist in the search on humanitarian grounds. Further details are awaited. (With DIPRO inputs)